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Serviceberry? #800246

Asked July 09, 2022, 2:17 PM EDT

These bushes in our yard are different and I think one might be serviceberry but I can’t determine which (or if neither!). The previous owner was a very avid gardener, so I think they might be edible. They both had whitish/light pink flowers this spring but the leaves look different. Can you help please offer advice? Thank you!

Adams County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Jennifer

Thanks for contacting the Master Gardener program in Adams County.  When serviceberries bloom is the best time for identification!  The leaves can look slightly different depending on the type of serviceberry  you may have.  The flowers are five petaled and come before the leaves come out. They bloom on wood like a Forsythia bush and some other Spring bloomers.  I have enclosed a handout on Serviceberries.  When the berries ripen they should turn red and then a deep blue or purple.  The berries on the right hand bush, have fringes on them at the end of the berry opposite the stem and this is also a trait serviceberries have. I cannot identify totally from the pictures and I cannot say if they are edible.  I would call a nursery that actually sells a serviceberry bush and take a small branch to them or you can call an arborist to come take a quick look at your bushes to see if they can identify your plants.  If you can take a picture of the entire bush from further away, this might help us as well.  They certainly look like serviceberries, but again before you eat any fruit I would be sure of it! Thanks again and we do have a tree team of Master Gardeners that can make a house call, but it does cost $25.00. 

https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/fruits/1213-serviceberries/

Adams County Master Gardener Replied July 12, 2022, 3:58 PM EDT

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